80051From George Washington to Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 22d came to my hands about 9 O’clock this day. I thank you for the information contained. After the Minister has actually set out, I should be glad to be informed of it by express and (if the knowledge can be obtained readily) to be informed of his Stages, & the hour he may be expected in Camp. I am sorry for the difficulties you have to encounter in the department of...
80052To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 22d was deliverd me this afternoon. I am happy to find you have wrote so fully to Congress upon the disagreeable consequences that may follow from starveing the quarter Masters Department at this critical season. I wish it may have the desird effect and rouse their attention; but I must confess I am afraid the stupor is so great that nothing can alarm their fears...
80053From George Washington to John Jay, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favors of the 14th 18th and 20th instants with the Resolves inclosed to which they refer. I shall acquaint Major Harnage and Capt. Hawker with the determination of Congress, and shall pay the proper attention to the other Resolves. I take the liberty to inclose the Copy of a representation of the Captain Lieutenants of Artillery on account of the reduction of...
80054To George Washington from William Livingston, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received your Excellency’s favour of yesterday’s date, respecting your intentions of removing the Troops from Elizabeth Town & Monmouth; and am obliged to you for your seasonable intimation of that step, to enable me to provide for the security of those parts of the Country, by detachments from our Militia. The contents of your Excellency’s confidential Letter shall remain a profound secret...
80055To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was Honor’d with your letter by Capt. Kiersley the 21 Instant; The Preceeding day a body of Indians burnt the Fort at Lackaway & several houses on that Road —And Continue to Infest this Settlement—Yesterday they burnt a house & carried off four Inhabitants within five Miles of our Quarters, but we cannot get a Light of them altho’ we have been constantly Scouting in detatch’d partys to the...
80056To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with Your Excellencys of the 22d in due time, and will carefully note the contents. We have sent to Morris Town for the Portmanteaus, Haversacks Canteens and Tents, the lat[t]er is to be stored there till further Orders. There is but one Continental Waggon with the Brigade either with Commissary or any other. We have got some very bad salt Beef, sent here yesterday, great part...
80057To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I was honored with your Favor of the 19th two Days since. In my address to your Excellency, of the 10th of December last, is this paragraph. “I shall want more heavy Cannon; I wish therefore to have your Excellency’s Order for those at Boston, which I am informed is subject to it .” The inclosed Resolution of Council of that State, will fully explain to you the Cannon, I alluded to. It was...
80058To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys letter of the twentieth Instant has been laid before the Board informing us that a Court Martial will be held at camp on the first of May next for “the Trial of General Arnold on the first second third and fifth charges exhibited against him by this Board.” We apprehend there must have been some mistake in the mode of transmitting this business to your Excellency as we never...
80059To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
On the 21st Instant I received two Letters from Mr Deane, Copies whereof I have the Honor to inclose to your Excellency. Some Oneidas, Tuscaroras and an Onondaga Sachem now in Town inform me that the Cayugas mean thro’ the Oneidas to beg peace of us—Should that really be the Intention of their Journey to Oneida, the Commissioners will be at a Loss how to act, until either your Excellency’s...
80060To George Washington from Brigadier General Charles Scott, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Immediatly on the Rect of Your Excellys Instructions I repard to Williamsburg for the Govr⟨s⟩ Further instructions, which was nothing more than that the Cloths should be ready at any place that I chose to appoint by the 20th of this instant, upon which I orderd through the publick prints and Several Exp[r]esses, that the Men Should be Randezvousd at this place the 20th and those on the South...
80061To George Washington from Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt, 24 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Upon Consulting Colo. Cantine and several other persons to whom he refer’d me; I have Collected the following Accounts of the Roads, Distances, &ca; from Kingston to Unaxquaga, and Tioga. The first is by the Rout of Poghkatacking, the distance by Land from Kingston landing is 55 Miles, to that place a Tolerable Waggon road at present, then by water, first Sixty Miles down the popaxten Branch...
80062General Orders, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book includes the following addition to this day’s general orders: “A Sub. Serjt Corpl D[rum] & F[ife] & twenty Privates from the Maryland Line to mount as a Guard at the Baron Steuben’s Quarters” (orderly book, 22 Dec. 1778–26 June 1779, DNA : RG 93, Orderly Books, 1775–1783, vol. 28). Major General Steuben apparently...
80063To George Washington from George Clinton, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor of receiving your Excellency’s Letters of the 9th & 17th Instant. In consequence of the Latter I have ordered 100 Men to the northern Frontier to relieve the Detachments of Genl James Clinton’s Brigade now in that Quarter—The Officer who is to command these Men is ordered to observe such Directions as he shall receive from Genl Schuyler (to whom I have written on the...
80064To George Washington from Major General Horatio Gates, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday evening the Bearer put into my Hands Your Excellencys Letters of the 12th, and 17th Instant; I shall immediately Order General Glovers Brigade to be in readyness to March at the shortest Notice; unfortunately for our Safety, your Excellency is as much deceived, as I am disappointed, in the Numbers expected to be rais’d for the defence of this State; Neither Providence, Massachusetts,...
80065To George Washington from John Jay, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
After Congress adjourned yesterday I was favored with two Letters from your Excellency, both of the 23rd Inst.—They shall be communicated to Congress in the morning. Herewith enclosed are sundry respecting Coll Steele’s Tryal at Fort-Pitt—They ought to have accompanied the others on that Subject. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect & Esteem your Excellys most Obedt Sert LS , DLC:GW...
80066To George Washington from Colonel William Malcom, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Regiment is now Twelve Miles on its March to Eastown—Colonel Spencer is arrived and will take Command there—Major Pawling does not Serve—he came to our Quarters a few days ago, but the face of the Arrangement determin’d him to adhere to his resignation—the Desbanded Officers are Also left us this morning—which is a real loss to the Service—The Men of the Regiment are unhappy by thus being...
80067To George Washington from Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
your Excellency’s Letter of the 23d Inst. with the Inteligence from Genl Maxwell inclosd I receivd this Afternoon. I have receivd Information that about the 22d Inst. a large Number of Empty Waggons came up to Fort Washington; the Enemy for about a fortnight past have Prohibited all Passing over King’s Bridge and observe the greatest Secrecy in their Transactions at that Post. The Accounts we...
80068To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
yours of the 22d inst. came to hand yesterday evening. I immediately sent orders to the Clothier General to send on to camp without delay all the shirts, over-alls & blankets in his possession, reserving only so many as were necessary to answer the orders given for supplying Colo. Proctors & Colo. Hartley’s regiments. The Clothier General informs me there will then remain but about 150...
80069To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 25 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am to thank you for your favour of the nineteenth Instant, and hope the state I am about to give of our affairs will in some degree answer, to your Excellencys satisfaction, the most important parts of your letter. As soon as I returned from camp, orders were issued for calling two hundred and fifty militia from the inner counties for the protection of Bedford and Westmoreland, those...
80070General Orders, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Commander in Chief has the pleasure to inform the Army that the Continental Frigates, Queen of France, Warren & Ranger have captured the british ship Jason of 20 Guns—the Ship Maria of 16 Guns—the Brigantines Patriot, Frederick, Bachelor, and John and the Schooners Hibernia & Chance bound from New-York to Georgia with large quantities of goods, stores, provisions &c. with four field and...
80071From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I find myself under a necessity of postponing your trial to a later period, than that for which I notified your attendance —I send you this information in a hurry lest you should set out before it might arrive if delayed to an hour of more leisure—In a future letter I shall communicate my reasons and inform you of the time which shall be finally appoin⟨ted⟩. I am Dr Sir Your most Obed....
80072To George Washington from Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I mentioned in my Last Letter to your Excelency that I would Transmit the Inteligence that Should be Brot, from Canada by Capt. Travisie, who has returned but the two Indians that went with him and Proceeded amongst the Inhabetants are not returned, So that no inteligence is yet obtained by that Party. Since the Snow has been gone I have Sent Seven men Into Canada who are to Tarry near Quebeck...
80073To George Washington from Daniel Bowers, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Daniel Bowers, 26 April 1779. GW wrote to Bowers on 28 May : “Your letter of the 26th of last Month . . . came safe to my hands.”
80074To George Washington from John Bradford, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Chance of War has put in my possession a quarter Cask of Wine ship’d at Malaga designed for General Clintons own use, in the same vessel I found a keg of the Essence of lemon juice design’d also for him, my happiness wou’d have been proportionably greater, if it had been a pipe instead of a quarter Cask, your acceptance of those Articles will confer a favour on him, who has the honor to be...
80075To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Ford, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
About half after four O’Clock this Morning a body of the Enemy effected a landing at red Bank about one Mile from shrewsbury, My patrole fired on them but being small did little or no Execution. My Detachment being paraded at the Time I received the Account of their Landing from the patrole I immediately Detached Capt. Beall with 30 odd men to observe their Movements & retard them in their...
80076To George Washington from Brigadier General John Glover, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I wrote your Excellency the 2nd Inst. I accepted of the Furlough Congress was pleas’d to direct, & that I should leave Camp the 20th Inst. but on General Gates’s arrival, he requested me to tarry till General Stark should come in; he is here now, & has the Command of the Brigade lately Commanded by General Varnum. The embarrass’d State of my Affairs with my Domestic concerns being such as...
80077To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys favor of the 24th I had the honor of receiving last Evening. I dind yesterday with the Minister of France and find him still determind to set out for Camp to morrow. He sets out at seven in the morning and intends lodging at Trenton. On Wednesday he will be in Camp, if no accident attends him; but at what hour cannot be assertaind as the place he dines at, is not yet determind...
80078To George Washington from Brigadier General Edward Hand, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
When I wrote your Excy on the 23d from this place I informed you I entended visiting Col. Blain D.C.G. of Purchases to inform myself of the prospects he has of procuring the provision Ordered by your Excy for the Susquehannah—I at the same [time] hoped to see Col. Heartly, but was disappointed, he being at Baltimore—you have Col. Blains report inclosed—and he has given me the strongest...
80079To George Washington from Colonel Moses Hazen, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
It was the 30th of march before the last Division of my Regt march’d from Camp at Reading at which time the Snow was Near Eighteen Inches Deep, we have halted Sixteen days on the march of a hundred and Ninety one miles; Partly occasioned by the badness of the Roads at that Season of the year, partly owing to the Difficulty in procuring Carriages, and more Particularly for the want of a Proper...
80080To George Washington from John Jay, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Questions contained in your Favor of the Day of April Inst. are as important as the Manner of introducing them is delicate. While the maritime Affairs of the Continent continue under the Direction of a Committee, they will be exposed to all the Consequences of Want of System Attention and Knowledge. The marine Committee consists of a Delegate from each State. It fluctuates—New Members...
80081From George Washington to Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th instant with the inclosures was duly handed me. I have taken such measures respecting the salted provisions, as I hope will prevent the like complaint in future. The paper on the disputed subject of the arrangement I shall consider the first moment I am at liesure. I am sir your most obt servt. Df , in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW .
80082To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This will accompany to Your Excellency, the proceedings of the Court Martial held at New Ark with a recommendation in favour of Curry, as to the other two I do not find they can recommend one in preferance to the other: I have likewise sent You two or thre Depositions taken before the Court concerning the behaviour of some of the Inhabitants there. I have likewise sent You some good News from...
80083To George Washington from Gouverneur Morris, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
You must permit me most heartily to congratulate you upon the very important Intelligence which Monsr Gerard will confidentially communicate to you. It is and indeed ought to be a Secret even from Congress for which I need give you no Reasons as you are but too well acquainted with them. Measures have already been taken for obtaining the necessary Supplies which the Minister will detail to...
80084From George Washington to the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your letters of the 24th and 25th: to which I beg leave to defer a particular answer till another opportunity, which shall not be delayed. The present is barely to inform you, that the period appointed for the trial of Major General Arnold agreeable to the wish of Council is posponed to a later day, which will be notified in my next. I have the honor to be With great respect...
80085To George Washington from Joseph Reed, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Joseph Reed, 26 April 1779. On 27 April , GW acknowledged “the receipt of your two letters in Council of the 24th and 25th inst, to which I should have added that of the 26th.”
80086To George Washington from the Rhode Island Legislature, 26 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
This Council being informed that Major General Gates hath orders from Your Excellency to hold General Glovers Brigade in readiness to march from this post on the Shortest notice —and sensibly Affected with the distresses which our Inhabitants already feel, and which must be greatly increased by the Removal of so great a part of the force now here—take the Liberty of Stating our peculiarly...
80087General Orders, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
A General Court-Martial of the line to sit tomorrow morning 10 ôclock at the usual place to try all such persons as shall come before them—Colonel Gunby to preside. The Honorable the Congress have been pleased to pass the following resolution—In Congress February 18th 1779. Plan for the department of Inspector General. Resolved, That there be an Inspector General to the Armies of the United...
80088To George Washington from James Duane, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I beg Leave to recommend the enclosed papers transmitted by Governour Clinton to your Excellency’s Attention—As you have full power to conduct the Exchange of Prisoners it is needless to lay them before Congress. Permit me to request your Excellency to favour Governour Clinton with the Directions you may think proper to give on this Subject. I have the Honour to be—for myself and the Delegates...
80089To George Washington from Major General Nathanael Greene, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Ambassador is now at this place. He sets off for Camp at 7 oClock in the morning and intends dining with your Excellency. I have this moment arrivd here I left Philadelphia between two & three this afternoon. Before I left Town an Express arrivd from Georgia that brought dispaches from General Lincoln—He says there has been two little skirmishes lately in both which we gaind...
80090To George Washington from Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to your Excellency’s desire I am to inform you the Situation of the Several posts west of the Mountains, & will add the reasons for Establishing them which may enable you to Judge the better of their propriety. When I went there first, I found Fort Pitt in the fork of Ohio—Fort Randolph at the point, or, Mouth of great Kanhawa 300 Miles down the River Ohio. and Fort Hand on...
80091To George Washington from Brigadier General William Maxwell, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose Your Excellency Yesterdays New York Paper giving an account of the Packet’s arival. I likewise inclose you a note I got with the Paper last nigh[t]. The person who deliverd my man the papers, last night says that the Flat bottom’d Boats went down to the Hook the day the note was wrote. Some emajins they are for Munmoth others for Egg Harbour I think it must be...
80092From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
In a line of yesterday, as I did not think it proper to detain the express & delay the notice then given till I could prepare a more explicit answer, I only briefly acknowledged the receipt of your two letters in Council of the 24th and 25th inst, to which I should have added that of the 26th —I am now to enter into a particular consideration of their contents, and to offer such explanation as...
80093From George Washington to Philip Schuyler, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 15th by Doctr Cochran came to my hands yesterday—The intelligence contained in it is of importance, if true, and I shall be much obliged to you for sending persons into Canada (if you have them not already there) for the purpose of ascertaining the truth of the report. The certainty of which must affect, materially, the intended Indian Expedition. I will thankfully pay any...
80094To George Washington from Philip Schuyler, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Last Night Captain Graham, of Van Schaick’s, delivered me Dispatches from that Officer, advising me of the Success of the Troops of the united States under his Command on the Enterprize against Onondaga; for particulars, permit me to refer your Excellency to the inclosed papers. The Secrecy, Dispatch and propriety with which Colonel Van Schaick has executed his orders do him great Honor and...
80095To George Washington from Peter Scull, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I return your Excellency the four commissions sent for alteration in your Letter of the 22d, together with a memorial of Captain Keene late of patton’s Regiment praying to be readmitted into the pennsylvania line as his health is reestablished; and his extreme low state at the time the late Committee sat having been the only reason why he was excluded. Captain Stoddards resignation has been...
80096To George Washington from Charles Stewart, 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s Instructions of the 21st Instant I receiv’d Yesterday and for Answer beg leave to inform you that being desirous to know the state of the Stores in my Department on the first of this Month and to have if possible regular Monthly Returns in future from the respective Deputy-Commissaries-General to enable me at all times to furnish Your Excellency with Accurate Monthly Returns...
80097To George Washington from Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 27 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have taken time and opportunity to consult with Gentlemen, in order to give the better information on the head of inquiry, mentioned in your letter of the 24th of March last. This State intend to compleat their quota of Continental Battalions—After this, it is my opinion that one Battalion of Militia, equal in number to a Continental one, may be drawn from hence, well equipped, & commanded...
80098General Orders, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
Varick transcript , DLC:GW . Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes the following general order: “A Sub—Serjt & twenty R[ank] & File from the 2nd pennsylvania Brigade for Fatigue—Tomorrow.” (orderly book, 22 Dec. 1778–26 June 1779, DNA : RG 93, Orderly Books, 1775–1783, vol. 28).
80099From George Washington to Major General Benedict Arnold, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I informed you in a short line of the 26th that your trial was postponed, with a promise to explain the reason at another opportunity. I had received a letter from the Council, representing that the period appointed for the purpose, and the previous notice given, were too short to admit of the necessary witnesses being produced in time. One of the most material they inform me is in Virginia...
80100From George Washington to John Jay, 28 April 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 25th and its inclosures. You will perceive by the within resolution of the assembly of the State of Massachusetts, that there are several pieces of cannon (18 pounders) the property of the Continent, now in that state. General McDougall informs me that only two pieces out of the seven have been received. The defenceless situation of...